IMPROVables Perform Last Show with Senior Andrew Magnus
by Rachael Edler
Students, children, family members and professors gathered for a night of improv as the Concordia IMPROVables ended the 2015-2016 school year with two shows in the Black Box Theater and said goodbye to senior IMPROVables member Andrew Magnus. Magnus, who will be graduating next week, performed his final improv show as a Concordia Bulldog on Saturday night.
“This is one of those things where it hasn’t hit me yet,” Magnus said. “This is something I will continue to do, so it’s more like the end of a chapter rather than the end of a book.”
Magnus has been involved in improv for nearly nine years. He began in high school, continued with it throughout college and plans to do it after he graduates.
Magnus is from Springfield, Missouri, which has a vibrant arts community. They have both professional and amateur improv groups which he plans to audition for.
In the time Magnus has been at Concordia, he has seen the IMPROVables double in size. He has also seen a major shift in the types of people who got involved. While the IMPROVables are a part of theater and the Curtain Club, they have a more diverse group than just theater students. The IMPROV group has dancers, athletes, tech workers and art majors who have come together because they love the spontaneity of improv.
The IMPROVables also have a close relationship with the Seward community. Several shows have been held in the Olde Glory Theatre.
“I think the tie between campus and the community is so important,” Magnus said. “We both help each other—they advertise our shows, and we perform for them. It’s so vital to the Concordia-Seward community relationship.”
Apart from the fun and games, the IMPROVable members also take the time to be vulnerable with each other, make prayer requests, and pray with and for one another.
“We’re centered on Christ,” sophomore IMPROVables member Michael Duffy said. “It’s special because it’s the most important foundation you can have.”
“We trust and rely on each other,” Magnus said. “It’s nice to have close friends nearby. I’m going to miss this next year.”
